US20090147470A1

US20090147470A1 - Electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20090147470A1
Application number: US12/390,277
Authority: US
Inventors: Masato Nakatani; Yasuyuki Suzuki; Yosuke Miura
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 2005-12-22
Filing date: 2009-02-20
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: US7544904B2; US20070144885A1; JP2007173111A; JP4302099B2

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing including an opening; a first button provided for the opening; a second button provided for the opening; a first switch provided in the housing and opposed to the first button; and a second switch provided in the housing and opposed to the second button. Each of the first button and the second button comprises (i) a button body exposed outside the housing and (ii) a first arm which extends from the button body and is supported by the housing. The first swttch being closer to the second button than a center of the button body of the first button and the second switch being closer to the first button than a center of the button body of the second button.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/544,798, filed Oct. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-370845, filed Dec. 22, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic apparatus, for example, such as an electronic apparatus, which includes a button opposed to a switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic apparatuses such as portable computers are provided with push buttons including a power switch button and a click button. The push buttons are arranged in openings of an outer wall of the housing and can be depressed with the fingertips or the like.
An electronic apparatus that has push buttons arranged in a small space is disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-259537. This electronic apparatus has a housing, push buttons and click switches. The housing has a wall having an opening. Each push button has a button body and two arms. The arm has one end supported on the rim of the opening. The arm supports, at the other end, the button body, allowing the same to move. The button body and the arms overlap each other, reducing the space in which the push buttons are arranged.
The click switches are arranged, each below the associated button body. Each click switch operates upon when it touches the lower surface of the button body as the user pushes the button body.
The user does not always push the center part of a button body. He or she may often push an edge part of the button body, which lies remote from the center of the button body. Remote from that portion of the button body that is coupled to the arm, the edge part of the button body acts like the distal end of a so-called cantilever. Therefore, the edge part is moved down more than any other part of the button body. The center part of the button body is moved down, too, but little.
The center part of the button body may not be moved down much enough to contact the click switch when the user pushes the edge part of the button body. In other words, each click switch may not operate when the user pushes the circumferential edge of the button body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer according to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary plan view of the portable computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded view showing the touch-pad buttons used in the first embodiment, which have been removed from the housing of the portable computer;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary plan view of the touch-pad unit used in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary sectional view of the portable computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary sectional view schematically depicting one of the button switches used in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary sectional view showing a button switch pushed at an edge part of the button body in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary sectional view showing a button switch pushed at the center part of the button body in the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary plan view of a portable computer according to a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary plan view of a portable computer according to a third embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 11 is an exemplary sectional view of a switch that lies at the center of the button body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic apparatus includes a housing and a button. The housing contains a switch. The button is arranged in the housing, opposed to the switch and configured to operate the switch. The switch is positioned off a center of the button.
Embodiments of the present invention applied to a portable computer will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 8 show a potable computer 1, as an electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 shows the portable computer 1. The portable computer 1 includes a main unit 2 and a display unit 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main unit 2 includes a base 5 and a cover 6. The cover 6 is secured to the base 5 from above. The base 5 and the cover 6 constitute a box-shaped housing 7. Thus, the main unit 2 includes this housing 7. The housing 7 includes a top wall 7 a, a front wall 7 b, a left wall 7 c, a right wall 7 d, a rear wall 7 e, and a bottom wall (not shown). The top wall 7 a supports a keyboard 8. The top wall 7 a is an example of an outer wall.
As FIG. 1 shows, the display unit 3 includes a display housing 9 and a liquid crystal display panel 10 which is contained in the display housing 9. The display housing 9 includes an opening 9 a in the front. The liquid display panel 10 includes a display screen 10 a. The display screen 10 a is exposed outside the display housing 9 through the opening 9 a.
A hinge device couples the display unit 3 to the rear edge of the housing 7. The display unit 3 can rotated between a closed position and an opened position. At the closed position, the display unit 3 lies, covering the top wall 7 a from above. At the opened position, the display unit 3 stands, exposing the top wall 7 a.
As FIG. 1 shows, the top wall 7 a includes a palm rest 12. The palm rest 12 lies in front of the keyboard 8 and extends in the widthwise direction of the housing 7. The top wall 7 a includes a touch-pad holder section 13, which is located in front of the keyboard 8 and half way between the left wall 7 c and the right wall 7 d.
FIG. 3 shows the cover 6 turned upside down and illustrates the interior o the housing 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cover includes a first opening 14 and a second opening 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the touch-pad holder section 13 includes a left button mounting section 16 a, a right button mounting section 16 b, and a position-adjusting boss 17. The first and second openings 14 and 15 are made in the top wall 7 a and open to the outside the housing 7.
As seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the left button mounting section 16 a includes a first support projection 20 and a second support projection 21. Similarly, the right button mounting section 16 b includes a first support projection 20 and a second support projection 21. Each of the support projections 20 is an example of an arm-support, and each of the support projections 21 is an example of another arm-support.
The first support projections 20 and the second support projections 21 are provided in the housing 7. The projections 20 and 21 protrude inwards from the inner surface of the top wall 7 a. They are made of, for example, resin, and are integrally formed with the housing 7.
As FIG. 2 depicts, the first support projection 20 of the left button mounting section 16 a is located on the left side of the second opening 15. The second support projection 21 of the left button mounting section 16 a is located in front of the second opening 15. The first support projection 20 of the right button mounting section 16 b is located on the right side of the second opening 15. The second support projection 21 of the right button mounting section 16 b is located in front of the second opening 15. That is, each of the second support projections 21 of the left and right button mounting sections 16 a, 16 b is arranged in a direction crossing, for example at right angels to, the direction in which the first support projection 20 is spaced from the second opening 15.
The position-adjusting boss 17 lies between the second support projection 21 of the left button mounting section 16 a and the second support projection 21 of the right button mounting section 16 b. The boss 17 protrudes in the housing 7 from the inner surface of the top wall 7 a.
As FIG. 4 shows, the housing 7 contains a touch-pad unit 22, which is held by the touch-pad holder section 13. The touch-pad unit 22 includes a touch-pad body 23, a left tough-pad button 24 a, a right touch-pad button 24 b, a left click switch 25 a, a right click switch 25 b, a first circuit board 26, and a second circuit board 27.
The touch-pad body 23 is a pointing device that is operated to move the cursor displayed on, for example, the screen 10 a of the display unit 3. As seen from FIG. 4, the touch-pad body 23 is arranged below, and aligned with, the first opening 14 of the top wall 7 a. Thus, the touch-pad body 23 is therefore exposed outside the housing 7, through the first opening 14. The user can therefore operate the touch-pad body 23 from outside the housing 7.
Each of the left touch-pad button 24 a and the right touch-pad button 24 b is an example of push button. The left touch-pad button 24 a (hereinafter referred to as left button 24 a) is pushed to operate the left click switch 25 a (hereinafter referred to as left switch 25 a). The right touch-pad button 24 b (hereinafter referred to as right button 24 b) is pushed to operate the right click switch 25 b (hereinafter referred to as right switch 25 b). Note that the left and right switches 25 a and 25 b are operated to, for example, execute and cancel commands.
As FIGS. 2 and 3 show, the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b include a button body 31, a first arm 32 and a second arm 33 each. The button body 31 and the first and second arms 32 and 33 are integrally formed, made of, for example, resin material, and are elastic.
As shown in FIG. 5, each button body 31 includes a top wall 31 a and sidewall 31 b that extends inwardly from the edge of the top wall 31 a. Thus, the button body 31 includes a recess that opens to the interior of the housing 7. The button bodies 31 of the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b are inserted in the second opening 15, with their edges extending along an inner peripheral surface of the second opening 15. The top wall 31 a of each button body 31 is therefore exposed outside the housing 7 through the second opening 15.
As is illustrated in FIG. 3, a pushing projection 31 c is provided on the inner surface of the top wall 31 a of each button body 31. The pushing projection 31 c is shaped like a cross and protrudes inwardly in the housing 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the pushing projection 31 c of the left button 24 a shifts distance s1 toward the right wall 7 d from the center A of the button body 31 in the widthwise direction of the housing 7, and shifts distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e from the center A in the depth direction of the housing 7.
The pushing projection 31 c of the right button 24 b shifts distance s1 toward the left wall 7 c from the center A in the widthwise direction of the housing 7, and shifts distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e from the center A in the depth direction of the housing 7.
The first arms 32 and the second arms 33 will be described. The arms 32 and 33 are examples of support parts that are supported by the housing 7. Only the first and second arms 32 and 33 of the left button 24 a will be described here. Note that the first and second arms 32 and 33 of the right button 24 b differ from those of the left button 24 a, only in that they are laterally inverted in position. Note that the components of the right button 24 b are designated at the same reference numbers as those of the left button 24 a.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first arm 32 includes a first member 32 a and a second member 32 b. The first member 32 a of the left button 24 a extends from the left-rear part of the button body 31 toward the left wall 7 c. The distal part of the first member 32 a is bent toward the front wall 7 b. The second member 32 b of the left button 24 a extends from the left-front part of the button body 31 toward the left wall 7 c. The distal part of the second member 32 b is bent toward the rear wall 7 e.
The first member 32 a and the second member 32 b are coupled at their distal ends. The junction between the first and second members 32 a and 32 b is a first fastening part 32 c. The first fastening part 32 c is a little thicker than the first and second members 32 a and 32 b and includes a first through hole 32 d in its center part.
The second arm 33 includes a third member 33 a and a fourth member 33 b. The third member 33 a of the left button 24 a extends from the front-left part of the button body 31 toward the front wall 7 b. The distal part of the third member 33 a is bent toward the right wall 7 d. The fourth member 33 b of the left button 24 a extends from the front-right part of the button body 31 toward the front wall 7 b. The distal part of the fourth member 33 b is bent toward the left wall 7 c. Thus, the second arm 33 extends in a line which crosses a line that extends from the center of the left button 24 a toward the first arm 32.
The third member 33 a and the fourth member 33 b are coupled at their distal ends. The junction between the third and fourth members 32 a and 32 b is a second fastening part 33 c. The second fastening part 33 c is a little thicker than the third and fourth members 33 a and 33 b and includes a second through hole 33 d in its center part.
The fourth member 33 b of the left button 24 a and the fourth member 33 b of the right button 24 b are coupled to each other, forming an integral component. The junction between the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b includes a U-notch 33 e. The rim of this notch 33 e curves along the circumference of the position-adjusting boss 17 mentioned above.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first and second support projections 20 and 21 are inserted in the first and second through holes 32 d and 33 d, respectively. As a result, the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b are secured to the left and right button mounting sections 16 a and 16 b, respectively. At this time, the junction of the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b abuts on the position-adjusting boss 17, with the boss 17 fitted in the notch 33 e. The left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b are therefore adjusted in position.
After the first and second support projections 20 and 21 are inserted into the first and second through holes 32 d and 33 d, they are fused to the first and second fastening parts 32 c and 33 c, respectively. The first arm 32 is thereby secured at one end portion to the first support projection 20. Thus, the first arm 32 is supported by the housing 7. Further, the second arm 33 is secured at one end portion to the second support projection 21, and the second arm 33 is therefore supported by the housing 7.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the button body 31 is supported by the first and second arms 32 and 33 and held by the housing 7. Since the button body 31 and the arms 32 and 33 have elasticity, the button body 31 can move between a position where it is spaced from the switches 25 a and 25 b and another position where it contacts the switches 25 a and 25 b. When pushed by the user, the button body 31 moves, contacting the switches 25 a and 25 b. The switches 25 a and 25 b are thereby operated.
The first to fourth members 32 a, 32 b, 33 a and 33 b include a curved part 34. The curved part 34 is bent in the direction of height of the housing 7. Since the members 32 a, 32 b, 33 a and 33 b include a curved part 34, the first and second arms 32 and 33 are more elastic than otherwise.
The housing 7 contains the left and right switches 25 a and 25 b. The left and right switches 25 a and 25 b are arranged below, and aligned with, the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b, respectively. In other words, the left and right buttons 24 a and 24 b are provided in the housing 7 and opposed to the switches 25 a and 25 b to operate them.
The left and right switches 25 a and 25 b are of a contact type and include a switch body 41 and a switch top 42. The switch top 42 can move with respect to the switch body 41. Each of the left and right switches 25 a and 25 b is operated when the switch top 42 moves toward the switch body 41.
As shown in FIG. 4, the left switch 25 a lies below, and is aligned with, the pushing projection 31 c of the left button 24 a. That is, the left switch 25 a is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s1 toward the right wall 7 d in the widthwise direction of the housing 7, and positioned off the center A by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7.
In other words, the left switch 25 a is arranged farther from the first support projection 20 of the left button mounting section 16 a than from the center A of the button body 31, and also farther from the second support projection 21 than the center A of the button body 31. Put another way, the left switch 25 a faces that part of the button body 31 which moves down more than the center A as the user depresses the left button 24 a. The left switch 25 a is positioned off the center A of the left button 24 a not only in a direction which separates from the first arm 32, but also in a direction which separates from the second arm 33.
The right switch 25 b lies below, and is aligned with, the pushing projection 31 c of the right button 24 b. That is, the right switch 25 b is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s1 toward the left wall 7 c in the widthwise direction of the housing 7, and positioned off the center A by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7.
In other words, the right switch 25 b is arranged farther from the first support projection 20 of the right button mounting section 16 b than from the center A of the button body 31, and also farther from the second support projection 21 than the center A of the button body 31. Put another way, the right switch 25 b faces that part of the button body 31 which moves down more than the center A as the user depresses the right button 24 b. The right switch 25 b is positioned off the center A of the right button 24 b not only in a direction which separates from the first arm 32, but also in a direction which separates from the second arm 33.
In the present embodiment, the left and right switches 25 a and 25 b lie, each at the midpoint between the rear edge of the second opening 15 and a line passing through the center A of the second opening 15 and extending in the widthwise direction of the housing 7. The left and right switches 25 a and 25 b lie, for example, each at the midpoint between the edge of the button body 31 and the center A thereof.
The left and right switches 25 a and 25 b are mounted on the first circuit board 26. The first circuit board 26 is electrically connected to the second circuit board 27 and is electrically connected to a main circuit board (not shown).
How the portable computer 1 operates will be explained, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
FIG. 6 schematically shows the positional relation between the left button 24 a, the left switch 25 a and the first support projection 20. Note that the left button 24 a, the left switch 25 a and the second support projection 21 have a similar positional relation. Further, the right button 24 b, the right switch 25 b and the first support projection 20 have a similar positional relation. Still further, the right button 24 b, the right switch 25 b and the second support projection 21 have a similar relation.
The button 24 a is a kind of cantilever that is held at one end portion by the support projection 20. It can move toward and away from the switch 25 a.
FIG. 7 shows the button 24 a that the user pushes at an edge part 51 of button body 31 that is not coupled to the arm 32. When the user pushes the button 24 a, the button 24 a moves toward the switch 25 a because of its elasticity. When the pushing projection 31 c of the button body 31 contacts the switch top 42 of the switch 25 a, the switch body 41 generates a signal indicating that the button 24 b has been pushed.
FIG. 8 shows the button 24 a that the user pushes at the center part 52 of button body 31. When the user pushes its center part, the button 24 a moves toward the switch 25 a, in the same manner as when the user pushes an edge part 51 of the button body 31. When the pushing projection 31 c of the button body 31 contacts the switch top 42 of the switch 25 a, the switch body 41 generates a signal indicating that the button 24 b has been pushed.
On the portable computer 1 of the configuration described above, the switches 25 a and 25 b can be easily turned on even if the user pushes the button body 31 at any edge part. This increases the operability of the buttons 24 a and 24 b.
FIG. 11 schematically depicts a switch 25 a that aligned with the center of the button body 31 and that is pushed at an edge part which is not coupled to the arm 32. This edge part is the distal end of a cantilever. It can therefore move down more readily than the center part of the button body 31.
If the user pushes an edge part of the button body 31, the center part of the button body 31 does not move so much to contact the switch 25 a. In this case, the switch 25 is not operated as desired. In other words, the switch 25 a is not operated unless an edge part is pushed by a longer stroke than the center part.
In the present embodiment, the switch 25 a is positioned, by design, off the center A of the button body 31. Namely, the switch 25 a is spaced from the support projection 20 (i.e., fulcrum), with respect to the center A of the button body 31.
Therefore, the switch 25 a is operated even if the user depresses the edge part 51 of the button body 31 as shown in FIG. 7, provided that the button body 31 moves a distance as long as the distance between the button body 31 and the switch 25 a.
Even if the user pushes the center part 52 of the button body 31 as shown in FIG. 8, the switch 25 is operated if the button body 31 moves a distance between it and the switch 25 a. Note that the switch 25 a acts as a fulcrum that supports the button 24 a. The button 24 a is therefore a so-called dual beam, supported at both ends by the support projection 20 and the switch 25 a. Since the button 24 is supported at both ends, it will not greatly bend when the center part 52 of the button body 31 is pushed, even if the switch 25 a does not lie beneath the center part 52 of the button body 31. Hence, the switch 25 a can be reliably operated, whichever part of the button body 41 is pushed.
Since the switch 25 a is positioned, by design, off the center A of the button body 31, the switch 25 a can be more reliably operated than otherwise, no matter which part of the button body 31 is pushed. In other words, the switch 25 a is operated if the button body 31 is depressed by relatively short stroke, whichever part of the body 31 is depressed.
The portable computer 1 according to this embodiment includes another arm (i.e., second arm 33) and another arm support (i.e., second support projection 21). The button body 31 is supported not only in one direction by the first arm 32, but also in a different direction by the second arm 33. Thus, the button body 31 is held stably.
The switches 25 a and 25 b are positioned off the center A of the button body 31 in the opposite directions, toward the first and second support projections 20 and 21, respectively. In the portable computer 1 according to this embodiment, the second support projection 21 and the second arm 33 are provided and the switches 25 a and 25 b are deviated from the second support projection 21, too. Therefore, both switches 25 a and 25 b are reliably operated even if the user pushes a front edge part or rear edge part of the button body 31. This enhances the operability of the switches 25 a and 25 b.
The switches 25 a and 25 b are reliably operated even if the button body 31 is pushed at any edge part, particularly because the second support projection 21 is provided in a line extending at right angles to a line that connects the first support projection 20 and the center A of the button body 31.
The switches 25 a and 25 b are positioned off the centers A of the button bodies 31, each almost at the midpoint between the rear edge of the second opening 15 and the center A of the button body 31. This also helps to enhance the operability of both buttons 24 a and 25 b.
A portable computer 61 according to a second embodiment of this invention will be described, with reference to FIG. 9. The components identical in function to those of the portable computer 1 according to the first embodiment are designated at the same reference numbers and will not described. As FIG. 9 shows, two first arms 32 support the left and right buttons 62 a and 62 b, respectively.
The pushing projection 31 c of the left button 62 a shifts from the center A of the button body 31, by distance s1 toward the right wall 7 d in the widthwise direction of the housing 7. The pushing projection 31 c of the right button 62 b shifts from the center A of the button body 31, by distance s1 toward the left wall 7 c in the widthwise direction of the housing 7.
The left switch 25 a is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s1 toward the right wall 7 d in the widthwise direction of the housing 7. In other words, the left switch 25 a is arranged farther from the first support projection 20 of the left button mounting section 16 a than from the center A of the button body 31.
The right switch 25 b is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s1 toward the left wall 7 c in the widthwise direction of the housing 7. In other words, the right switch 25 b is arranged farther from the first support projection 20 of the right button mounting section 16 b than from the center A of the button body 31.
On the portable computer 61 thus configured, the switches 25 a and 25 b can be reliably operated even if the user pushes an edge part of the button body 31. The operability of the buttons 62 a and 62 b therefore increases. That is, the switches 25 a and 25 b can be operated even if the button body 31 is depressed by relatively short stroke, at any edge part deviating from the center A in the widthwise direction of the housing 7.
A portable computer 71 according to a third embodiment of this invention will be described, with reference to FIG. 10. The components identical in function to those of the portable computer 1 according to the first embodiment are designated at the same reference numbers and will not described. As FIG. 10 shows, two second arms 33 support the left and right buttons 72 a and 72 b, respectively.
The pushing projection 31 c of the left button 72 a shifts from the center A of the button body 31, by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7. The pushing projection 31 c of the right button 72 b shifts from the center A of the button body 31, by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7.
The left switch 25 a is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7. In other words, the left switch 25 a is arranged farther from the second support projection 21 of the left button mounting section 16 a than from the center A of the button body 31.
The right switch 25 b is positioned off the center A of the button body 31 by distance s2 toward the rear wall 7 e in the direction of depth of the housing 7. In other words, the right switch 25 b is arranged farther from the second support projection 21 of the right button mounting section 16 b than from the center A of the button body 31.
Also, on the portable computer 71 thus configured, the switches 25 a and 25 b can be reliably operated even if the user pushes an edge part of the button body 31. The operability of the buttons 72 a and 72 b therefore increases. That is, the switches 25 a and 25 b can be operated even if the button body 31 is depressed by relatively short stroke, at any edge part deviating from the center A in the direction of depth of the housing 7.
The portable computers 1, 61 and 71 according to the first, second and third embodiments have been described. Embodiments of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, nevertheless. The push buttons are not limited to touch buttons. They may be, for example, push buttons, for example, power-switch buttons. In embodiments of this invention, the push buttons may be of any type that can be operated when depressed.
The switches 25 a and 25 b need not be arranged at midpoints between the center A of the button body 31 and the edges of the opening 15. The switches 25 a and 25 b may be arranged near the center A of the button body 31 or near any edge of the second opening 15. The arm supports may be provided at any positions, not on the housing, if they can hold the buttons 24 a and 24 b.
Electronic apparatuses to which this invention can be applied are not limited to portable computers. They may be, for example, mobile telephones, digital cameras, video cameras, personal digital assistants, and similar apparatuses.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising an opening;

a first button provided for the opening;

a second button provided for the opening;

a first switch provided in the housing and opposed to the first button; and

a second switch provided in the housing and opposed to the second button,

wherein each of the first button and the second button comprises (i) a button body exposed outside the housing and (ii) a first arm which extends from the button body and is supported by the housing, and

the first switch being closer to the second button than a center of the button body of the first button and the second switch being closer to the first button than a center of the button body of the second button.

2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm of the first button extends in a direction away from the second button.

3. The electronic apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first arm of the second button extends in a direction away from the first button.

4. The electronic apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the first arm of the first button extends from an edge part of the button body of the first button which is located at an opposite side to the second button, and

the first arm of the second button extends from an edge part of the button body of the second button which is located at an opposite side to the first button.

5. The electronic apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the first button comprises a second arm which extends from the button body of the first button in a direction of crossing a direction of extension of the first arm of the first button and is supported by the housing, and

the second button comprises a second arm which extends from the button body of the second button in a direction of crossing a direction of extension of the first arm of the second button and is supported by the housing.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the first switch is located at a position farther from the second arm of the first button than the center of the button body of the first button, and

the second switch is located at a position farther from the second arm of the second button than the center of the button body of the second button.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the second arm of the first button extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction of extension of the first arm of the first button, and

the second arm of the second button extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction of extension of the first arm of the second button.

8. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the first switch is arranged at a midpoint portion between the center of the button body of the first button and an edge part of the button body of the first button, and

the second switch is arranged at a midpoint portion between the center of the button body of the second button and an edge part of the button body of the second button.

9. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising an opening;

a first button provided for the opening;

a second button provided for the opening;

a first switch provided in the housing and opposed to the first button; and

a second switch provided in the housing and opposed to the second button,

the first switch and the second switch are arranged in an area between a center of the button body of the first button and a center of the button body of the second button.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first arm of the first button extends in a direction away from the second button.

11 The electronic apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first arm of the second button extends in a direction away from the first button.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein

14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein

15. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing including an opening;

a switch arranged in the housing;

a first arm support provided in the housing;

a first button provided for the opening; and

a second button provided for the opening and opposed to the switch, the second button including an arm and a button body, the arm being secured at one end portion to the first arm support, and the button body being (i) exposed outside the housing through the opening, (ii) supported by the arm and (iii) configured to move to operate the switch,

wherein the switch is arranged closer to the first button than a center of the button body.

16. The electronic apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second arm support provided in a line crossing a line extending from the opening toward the first arm support.

17. The electronic apparatus of claim 16, wherein the button includes a second arm secured at one end portion to the second arm support, supporting the button body of the second button and allowing the button body to move.

18. The electronic apparatus of claim 17, wherein the switch is arranged farther from the second arm support than from the center of the button body of the second button.

19. The electronic apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switch is arranged at substantially a midpoint between a center of the button body of the second button and an edge of the opening.